President's Charity 2018

My charity is Lupus UK in memory of my father who was eventually diagnosed in his 80s and told that he had probably had SLE for several years. Lupus is an incurable immune system illness, probably genetic in origin and mainly suffered by females but men and children can also be affected.

‘LUPUS UK is the only national registered charity supporting people with systemic lupus and discoid lupus and assisting those approaching diagnosis. We presently have over 5500 Members and a number of Regional Groups around the UK who arrange medical talks, publish local newsletters, set up local occasions and organise fundraising events.

LUPUS UK also produces an informative national magazine with lupus articles, letters, reports, and photographs, and operates a strong Grant Programme for research purposes and welfare. ‘

I have chosen The Friends of the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby as my charity for the year. This is a local charity which seeks to enhance the experience of patients in Rugby through the delivery of a range of voluntary services at the hospital and shows appreciation for the NHS staff serving the community. They are particularly interested in supporting initiatives which bring services nearer to the people of Rugby.

The charity is staffed entirely by volunteers and so aim that 98p in every pound donated is spent on equipment , which is over and above that which can be provided by the NHS, for use at St Cross and in the local Community and Mental Health Services. The total value of such donations, in 2013, was over £105,000 thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

If you would like to know more about the Friends their latest news can be found on Facebook